Pete Strange, chairman of ESCA member company, Messer, Inc., the parent company of Cincinnati-headquartered and employee-owned Messer Construction Co., was recently awarded the Alice and Harris Weston Apple Award for his leadership, advocacy and service to the community at the Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati Apple Award Gala.
The Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati grants the Apple Award annually to an individual or entity that exemplifies the foundation’s mission to increase and encourage improvement of Greater Cincinnati’s skyline.
Strange has been with Messer for 40 years and has made great contributions to improving the Cincinnati area. Giving back to the community is a top commitment for Messer Construction Co. and on behalf of its employee-owners, it has invested over $10.5 million in making their communities better places to live, work and raise families. Messer employee-owners also give time to professional organizations and community service groups that serve minorities and women.
Messer Construction Co. became employee-owned in 1990 and the S ESOP corporate structure has been an important factor in the growth of the company. There is an incredibly strong culture of ownership present among the employees. Everyone is motivated to work hard, because the culture is one that focuses on building long-term value and growth and positively impacting the communities in which they are based. Messer’s revenue has grown from $100 million to a projected $750 million in 2012. Their offices have also grown from one to nine, and include Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, Lexington, Louisville, Knoxville, and Nashville.
The awards and accomplishments achieved under Strange’s leadership include the industry’s highest honor, the Build America Award bestowed by the Associated General Contractors of America, for Messer’s leadership in building The Aronoff Center for the Arts and the restoration and remodeling of Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.
Messer is truly leading by example in the construction industry by being a good corporate neighbor and improving the lives and retirement accounts of their workers, as well as making a difference in the Cincinnati community and the other communities in which they are based. Employee-Owned S Corporations of America congratulate them on their accomplishments and continued commitment to excellence.